Climb A Redwood This Weekend

You’ve experienced the majesty of California’s old-growth redwood forests. But have you enjoyed the view from the top?

For the next three days, people have the chance to go on a “vertical hike” into the crown of a 200-foot coastal redwood in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Tim Kovar, a master tree-climbing instructor with Tree Climbing Planet and Cameron Williams, redwood biologist at the University of California (Berkeley), will lead the climbs.

They will ascend an 850-year-old redwood growing on private property.

Offered twice daily to groups of climbers, participants can register for either the morning climb from 9 a.m. – noon, or in the afternoon from 1 – 4 p.m.

A $250 per-person registration fee covers gear rental, instruction, and insurance. No experience necessary, but you must be at least 18-years-old to participate.

“Vertical hikers” will experience the redwood canopy’s diverse ecosystem, which takes several centuries to form into its current state.

The decomposition of needles and fallen foliage on large branches create rich soil that supports moss mats and hosts flora and fauna.

Because of the delicate ecosystem, the climb is only offered once a year to a limited number of climbers. This minimizes disruption of the tree’s natural cycle and any disturbance of the inhabitants that call the tree home.

Using specialized ropes and equipment made for canopy access, participants are guided up into the forest with “care and respect to the tree and surrounding environment,” the organization notes.

Editor-in-Chief Sean McCoy is a life-long outdoorsman who grew up hunting and fishing central Wisconsin forests and lakes. He joined GearJunkie after a 10-year stint as a newspaperman in the Caribbean, where he learned sailing and wooden-boat repair. Based in GearJunkie's Denver office, McCoy is an avid trail runner, camper, hunter, angler, mountain biker, skier, and beer tester.